Özden Şükran Üneri

Evaluation of internet addiction in a group of high school students: a cross-sectional study / Bir grup lise öğrencisinde internet bağımlılığı değerlendirmesi: Kesitsel bir çalışma

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate internet addiction and the effects of some variables like age, gender, parental age and education, number of siblings, existence of internet connection at home, existence of computer in the adolescent’s room, time spent on internet, adolescent’s cigarette use, depression inventory score on internet addiction inventory scores in a group of high school students. Method: The study group consisted of students of a high school in Ankara city center who volenteered to participate in the study. Data was collected by a socio-demographic information form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Internet Addiction Inventory (IAI). A probability level of p

Serum oxytocin and vasopressin levels in children with social anxiety disorder and the effects of parent characteristics

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: We aim to determine serum oxytocin, vasopressin levels and examine parent characteristics in children diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (SAD). METHODS: Thirty four children diagnosed with SAD and 34 mothers were compared with a healthy control group (21 control children and their mothers) in this case–control study. Assessment performed via State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Parental Attitude Research Instrument (PARI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) and Social Anxiety Scale for Children-Revised (SASC-R). Serum samples collected for detection of oxytocin and vasopressin levels. RESULTS: The distribution range of vasopressin levels were found statistically higher in control group than SAD group (p = 0,002). Additionally results showed no statistically significant differences according to the mean levels of serum oxytocin and vasopressin between groups. The scores of STAI-C, SASC-R and democratic attitudes/egalitarianism subscales of PARI were found significantly higher in children with SAD. Similarly we reported that mean scores of SCL-90 scale, LSAS and SCL-90 subscales were higher in mothers of patients group. CONCLUSIONS: Although significantly lower distribution range of vasopressin levels was found in SAD patients, mean oxytocin and vasopressin levels were not associated with SAD etiology. Additionally psychopathologies particularly anxious behaviour in mothers may contribute SAD development in early period of childhood.

Clinical features and comorbid psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents with trichotillomania: a clinical sample -

Objective: Trichotillomania (TTM) is characterized by the repetitive pulling out of ones own hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other areas of the body and is often associated with other psychiatric disorders. In this study we aimed to investigate the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics and comorbid psychiatric disorders in children with TTM. Methods: Twenty-three children and adolescents (15 females and 8 males, median age: 12, range: 6-18 years), who were followed at our outpatient clinic with the diagnosis of TTM, were included in the study. The Turkish version of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children- Present and Lifetime version was used to detect the comorbid psychiatric disorders. Depression and anxiety levels were measured by Childhood Depression Inventory (CDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, respectively. Results: The most commonly affected areas were; the scalp (n=13). Nine cases have been affected more than two areas. Median duration of the symptoms were 7±20.01 months (range: 7 days-72 months) at admission. 65.2% of the cases reported precipitating stress factors before the beginning of TTM symptoms. Nineteen (82.6%) subjects suffered from at least one psychiatric disorder and 14 (60.8%) from at least two psychiatric disorders. The most common comorbid disorders were anxiety disorders (n=15), disruptive behavioral disorders (n=6), tic disorder (n=3) and enuresis nocturna (n=3). The mean score in the CDI was 13.25±8.45. Mean state and trait anxiety scores were 37.19±8.01 and 37.62±7.61, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the time passed until admission to a psychiatry clinic and having multiple comorbid psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: High rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders were found in children and adolescents with TTM. Delay in psychiatric help-seeking seems to be associated with other psychiatric disorders. Early intervention may decrease comorbid psychiatric disorders, which may affect treatment options and prognosis.